Water woes are expected to continue as the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) says that water levels in the country are 20 to 30 per cent lower than the 20-year long-term average.
As such, the authority has reverted to measures similar to its dry season water management plan, despite currently being in the midst of the rainy season.
A new schedule for customers affected by under-producing reservoirs will be published tomorrow.
Communications manager of the authority, Daniel Plenty, said yesterday there had been a lack of meaningful precipitation for the rainy season, which began on May 28.
Plenty said the lack of rainfall had a negative impact on water production at several water treatment facilities in both islands.
This situation is having a significant impact on surface water sources throughout Trinidad and Tobago following the recent harsh dry season.
Rainfall data for the wet season 2015 collected by the Water Resources Agency, at WASA’s main impounding reservoirs (Arena, Navet, Hollis and Hillsborough—Tobago), show a deficit in rainfall by as much as 20 per cent at locations in Trinidad and 30 per cent in Tobago, when compared to a 20-year long-term average.
Plenty said the storage levels at the authority’s major impounding reservoirs when compared to the long-term averages for this time of year were also significantly lower than the 20-year long-term average in the case of Hillsborough in Tobago, by more than 50 per cent.
As a result of the below normal reservoir levels, the associated water treatment plants (with the exception of Navet) are currently operating below capacity, with the Caroni/Arena reservoir at 80 per cent, Hollis at 75 per cent and Hillsborough at 18 per cent.
Plenty said in addition to the authority’s main reservoirs, several rivers and intakes also had not fully recovered after the dry season and were currently underproducing.
These include the Acono, Las Cuevas, Susconosco, Surrey and Aripo rivers in Trinidad.
“In light of the reduced rainfall during this wet season thus far and the forecast for continued below normal rainfall for the remainder of 2015, the authority has implemented measures necessary to properly manage the country’s available water resources over the coming period,” Plenty said.
More info
Plenty encouraged customers to manage their water use wisely over the coming months. For further information, or to request a truck-borne delivery, customers can contact WASA’s Customer Call Centre toll free at 800 4420/26 or, in Tobago, at 639-6850/6853.
Water management plan
•Implementation of new or adjusted schedules
•Increased water trucking to all affected areas and key stakeholders
•Supplementing of surface water sources with ground water sources where possible
•Increased response to leak repair
•Closer interaction with affected communities through the Customer Response Unit and technical officers